The colors aloft again…

Hall rescued the precious bunting before it took fire. Peter Hart carried it, with the piece of the staff, and fastened it, where the soiled banner was kept flying defiantly.

Sgt. Peter Hart raising the colors again over Sumter. Before the war began, Hart was serving as a policeman in New York City. Having served under Major Anderson in the Mexican War, a few days before the attack on Fort Sumter, he traveled to Charleston and volunteered to serve under his command once again. Hart later helped to form Co. F, 31st New Jersey Infantry, serving as its captain.

Peter Hart was my great, great grandfather and I was wondering where you found the engraving of him at Ft. Sumter. My family had the gold watch given by Major Anderson and the officers of Sumter in gratitude for Sgt. Hart’s courage, but, alas it was stolen in a burglary many years ago.

Wow! Very good to hear from you. That’s horrible about the watch. I can only imagine your frustration with such a loss. I found the image while looking for something in Google Images. I think it appeared in a postwar issue of Harper’s Weekly. I’ll check and let you know for sure. Thanks so much for commenting. Anything you can add about his overall story?

I am visiting Charleston, SC and I note Arabella’s post about Peter Hart. I am also a great, great grandson of Peter Hart and would like to compare notes. I am sorry to report that there is virtually nothing at the Ft. Sumter Monument here in Charleston regarding his story. Request that Aabella contact me at sathercc@gmail.com.